Mr. Speaker, it may have created 850 jobs in Canada but why would it not have created more jobs in Canada? Surely the whole point of EDC is to support the export of Canadian products, not the export of Canadian jobs.

At least one company has confirmed that it could have handled the locomotives contract and hired hundreds of Canadian workers. It may be a bonanza for Bombardier but it is an insult to Canadians needing jobs.

Why are EDC funds being used to finance the flight of Canadian jobs to Mexico when they are desperately needed here in Canada?

Mr. Speaker, the EDC supported the company that won the contract. EDC does not decide which company wins a contract in the United States. However EDC was in a position to help finance the purchaser of that contract because Bombardier had actually won the contract, which kept 850 jobs in Canada.

In just 25 days the U.S. commerce department will make a final determination on softwood lumber, a decision that could literally destroy Canadian companies and communities. The negotiation so far has not worked. It is becoming clear that the only American who can bring the U.S. lumber coalition to a reasonable position is President Bush.

The Prime Minister and the president have talked about softwood lumber before. Now they need to negotiate.

Before the Prime Minister leaves this continent again will he launch personal negotiations with President Bush to resolve the softwood lumber issue before time runs out?

Mr. Speaker, I have talked with the president many times about the softwood lumber issue. He knows Canada's position very well. I have told him many times that the free trade agreement we signed with the Americans does not only apply to products such as natural gas and oil, but that it also applies to softwood lumber.

The leader of the fifth party should not take cheap shots. I have been on the road for 10 days and will be attending the Commonwealth meeting next week. I do not do this for pleasure but through duty.

Mr. Speaker, there is a duty to a number of Canadian communities that are suffering right now and talk by the Prime Minister is not enough. Negotiation could work.

The major obstacle now is the refusal of the American lumber coalition to respond seriously to the position put forward by the Canadian provinces. The American president could intervene to persuade the coalition to accept the Canadian position reasonably.

If the Prime Minister will not negotiate, given the failure of the minister and the failure of the others, what does he propose be done to protect Canadians whose livelihoods are now at stake? Why will he not negotiate--

Mr. Speaker, the president is extremely aware of the problem. I have talked with him regularly and very forcefully. I am confident there will be a solution to the problem before the expiration date according to the American law.

Mr. Speaker, we have just learned that Export Development Corporation has lent billions of dollars of Canadian taxpayers' money at below market rates to Union Pacific Railroad of the United States. This is only the latest example of the Liberal government's corporate welfare policy to large U.S. companies. EDC subsidized Northwest Airlines' purchase of Canadian jets to the tune of billions of dollars just a year ago.

Why do taxpayers of Canada have to subsidize yet another large American company worth over $30 billion?

He is attacking EDC but he should tell the House of Commons and the Canadian people that EDC is helping Canadian companies to sell abroad. EDC is not losing money. EDC is making money and at the same time it is helping Canadian exporters.

Mr. Speaker, it is interesting that it took a question about Bombardier to bring the Prime Minister to his feet on this issue.

What is really strange about this EDC deal is that Bombardier's portion of the contract is being manufactured by Mexican facilities. It is obvious that EDC is totally out of control. Is this the Liberal industrial policy, corporate welfare for multimillion dollar American companies supplied by Mexican labour?

No, Mr. Speaker, because I am very much interested in the welfare of the Canadian people. I want people to know that when there is a success in Canada, the Alliance Party always attacks any successful business people in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, right now, we can identify three possible sources of funding to meet the Liberal promises made during the election campaign.

There is $108 million for Quebec's highways in the current Department of Transport budget; there is the approximately $600 million fund for border infrastructure throughout Canada, security being an issue we cannot ignore; and there is apparently—I use the word apparently deliberately—$2 billion for strategic infrastructure for Canada as a whole.

Will the Deputy Prime Minister admit that, right now, there is really only $108 million earmarked for the Liberals' highway construction promises? One hundred and eight million, period.

John ManleyDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Crown Corporations

Mr. Speaker, the member is asking for very detailed information, but I can tell him that we have money for highways, we have money for borders, and we have money for strategic infrastructure.

We are not going to pay for all the highways in Quebec. The Province of Quebec has some responsibilities. We must talk with our provincial partners, as well as with other possible partners for investments in strategic infrastructure. There are many things to be done.